Community centre finally opened in Bishops Tachbrook after decade of hard work and planning

Ten years of planning and tireless work by a group of volunteers has led to the opening of a new community centre in Bishops Tachbrook.
St Chad's Centre in Bishops TachbrookSt Chad's Centre in Bishops Tachbrook
St Chad's Centre in Bishops Tachbrook

St Chad’s Centre will be available for use by the entire village and will cater for the needs of the many group activities, classes and events taking place there.

It was officially opened on Sunday following a pre-opening community event, which was held on Saturday, to allow villagers to see the new centre for themselves.

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The official ribbon cutting was carried out by villagers Anne Kirby and Niall Meades.

Pictured from left to right at the opening ceremony;
Rev. Elaine Scrivens, Anne Kirby, Niall Meades, Michael Kirby, Jane Knight, Chris White, Andrew Day, Bishop of Warwick, Kevin Knibbs, Sean Deely, Huw Davies, Les Caborn, Carol Gabbitas, Jenny Caborn, Larraine Curzon, John Knight, Linda Stevens, Jenny Bevan, Matthew GreenePictured from left to right at the opening ceremony;
Rev. Elaine Scrivens, Anne Kirby, Niall Meades, Michael Kirby, Jane Knight, Chris White, Andrew Day, Bishop of Warwick, Kevin Knibbs, Sean Deely, Huw Davies, Les Caborn, Carol Gabbitas, Jenny Caborn, Larraine Curzon, John Knight, Linda Stevens, Jenny Bevan, Matthew Greene
Pictured from left to right at the opening ceremony; Rev. Elaine Scrivens, Anne Kirby, Niall Meades, Michael Kirby, Jane Knight, Chris White, Andrew Day, Bishop of Warwick, Kevin Knibbs, Sean Deely, Huw Davies, Les Caborn, Carol Gabbitas, Jenny Caborn, Larraine Curzon, John Knight, Linda Stevens, Jenny Bevan, Matthew Greene

In attendance were Chris White MP, Warwick District Council chairwoman Cllr Jane Knight, Cllr Andrew Day of the district council and the chairman of Bishop’s Tachbrook Parish Council, Sean Deeley.

Cllr Knight said: “I’m delighted to see the successful outcome of this project and applaud the members of the Bishop’s Tachbrook community who have worked tirelessly over many years to create a wonderful new facility that everyone in the village can enjoy.”

The centre’s main hall is suitable for a range of uses including exercise or relaxation classes, group meetings, birthday parties and community activities and can accommodate up to 150 people standing for a drinks reception.

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The small room at St Chad’s Centre is suitable for private use including meetings, interviews, studying and quiet working.

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The foyer is an informal space suitable for smaller gatherings.

The centre also has a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge, freezer, double electric oven, 6 ring electric hob and ample preparation space.

Groups and classes already booked on to the centre’s timetable include children’s dance classes, martial arts classes for children and adults, cooking classes for children and adults, pilates, tai chi, a community cafe, Tachbrook Tinies playgroup, a pop-up shop foe independent businesses, Bishops Tachbrook Parish Council and the village History Group.

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Cllr Day, who is the Chair of the St Chad’s Centre Trustees, said: “This is the culmination of many thousands of small steps forward and quite a few steps backwards at times.

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“St Chad’s Church, our parish council and Warwick District Council came together to make this happen and what a brilliant partnership it has been - we started out to build a community centre and in the process ended up building our community life.”

For more information about the centre visit www.bishopstachbrook.com/st-chads-centre